Mobile reading pavilion a patriotic hit in Jing'an

A “red telephone booth” has become a popular destination in Jing’an District ahead of the upcoming 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

The mobile reading pavilion, which is about the size of a telephone booth, gave people passionate about the spoken word an outlet to read aloud their blessings to the country.

Readers include senior citizens, children and people working in Jing’an.

Renowned soprano Ren Guizhen went to read one of her favorite revolutionary poems “My Confession” by revolutionary martyr Chen Ran, who was executed by the Kuomintang at the age of 26 in 1949. “Only those who fear of death beg for freedom,” she read.

The pavilion has traveled around Pengpu Town and 13 other subdistricts, including the bustling Jing’an Temple commercial area and riverside of Suzhou Creek, since July.

From Monday, 14 video clips featuring these readings have been accessible on the district's newly launched app, called Shanghai Jing’an. By September 30, people can vote for their favorite clip online.